Thank Your School Counselor Today

Happy National School Counseling Week 2025

Every year, National School Counseling Week sneaks up on me, but not a week goes by where I don’t have reason to appreciate the effort, enthusiasm, and expertise our local school counselors bring to their educational communities.

While school counselors traditionally cover student pathways after high school as part of their overstuffed portfolios of responsibilities, their role differs substantially from that of an independent college counselor. Yes, both roles share the intention of helping students succeed and unlock opportunities after graduation, but school counselors handle way more than college admissions:

• Often overburdened with large caseloads and diverse responsibilities

• Primary training is in mental health, with college counseling as a secondary focus

• Limited time for in-depth college research or campus visits

• Must balance mental health crises with college planning duties

• May be constrained by school policies or local expectations

Ultimately, a school counselor’s first responsibility is often student social-emotional wellness. After that comes a slew of administrative functions like scheduling. Then comes college counseling, which often has to be compressed into large presentations by year at most public schools.

If you spend any amount of time in a school building, you know how busy and indispensable counselors are. Wish yours a Happy National School Counseling Week today!